The NCAA’s latest eligibility amendment is reshaping college athletics across the country. The rule now permits athletes to compete for five seasons over a five‑year span, with the eligibility clock starting either when a student enrolls full‑time or at the beginning of the academic year after their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first.
How the rule works
Originally intended to bring order to the many redshirt and pandemic‑related extensions that have stretched some players’ careers to six or seven years, the change sets clear guardrails. However, the NCAA applied the rule only to athletes who graduated high school in 2023, leaving the Class of 2022 out of the new eligibility window.
Members of the 2022 class argue that the exclusion deprives them of continued education and potential name‑image‑likeness (NIL) earnings. Their grievance has ignited a series of legal challenges at both federal and state levels.
Legal battles erupt
Basketball player Brock Wisne filed a federal class‑action lawsuit claiming the NCAA violated antitrust law by omitting the 2022 cohort. A Denver judge ruled in Wisne’s favor, opening the door for those athletes to return to their original schools, though the decision left transfer‑portal rules untouched.
An appeals court later paused that order, adding to the confusion. Meanwhile, dozens of state‑court filings have produced mixed results. At least 26 eligibility cases have been filed nationwide, with judges granting restraining orders or injunctions for roughly ten of them. Only one case—concerning basketball player Filip Borovicanin—has been reversed on appeal, resulting in a win for the NCAA.
Players eye a return to the field
Among the most publicized prospects is Dae’Quan Wright, an undrafted tight end from Mississippi who tried out with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns this summer. Wright now has an agreement to play the upcoming season at Louisiana State University, a rival of his former school Ole Miss.
Wright’s situation illustrates a broader trend: athletes who briefly signed professional contracts are seeking to re‑enter college programs as the football and basketball seasons approach. Some judges have even ordered a temporary reopening of the transfer portal, allowing players to explore options beyond their original institutions.
Conference reactions
The SEC, which governs both Ole Miss and LSU, typically blocks intra‑conference transfers outside the designated portal window in January. Conference leaders convened Monday to draft a statement warning that allowing players to move back and forth between the pros and college “will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant equity concerns and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.”
College football programs are scrambling to adjust rosters, while basketball teams face similar pressure as practice dates approach. Gonzaga, for example, recruited two players from the 2022 class whose eligibility may be restored, adding further uncertainty to roster planning.
What’s next?
Legal experts note that the litigation process moves slowly, and final outcomes may not be clear until after the current athletic seasons conclude. In the meantime, schools, coaches, and athletes must navigate a shifting landscape of eligibility, transfer rules, and potential court orders.
For families and fans, the evolving situation underscores the importance of staying informed about how eligibility rules impact student‑athletes’ educational opportunities and future prospects.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
